Socialism..is defined as a system of social organization in which the means of production and distibution of goods are owned collectively or by the government. If we add in the attempts to have the government also control services that can otherwise be privately sponsored(health care) I think that pretty much covers socialism. More government control of the economic and social mores and customs of a country..ergo bigger more expensive government.
In modern america what we call the liberal party(Democrat) seems pretty well peopled by those who advocate bigger and more intrusive government. This is validated by the constant drumbeat of higher taxes and more governmental control of the environment, industry and human behavior. Legislators identifying with the Democrat Party(liberals()most often vote for legislation that promotes this thesis. This includes less respect for private property rights.
To me this suggests there are similarities between the two. In addition, perhaps more important..if
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Liberalism is based upon a respect for individual freedoms. People are granted the right to pursue happiness as they feel is best,
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then liberals add the concept of moral relativity to the mix. This bothers me because there has to be moral standards in any social grouping or we have chaos. Moral accountability and stability iaremore important than personal happiness.